“If stardust is the light that paints our universe, then sea grass is the foundation of our planet’s estuaries.”I fish side-by-side with Anglers for Conservation‘s board member, Paul Macinnis, as we follow our guide, Anglers for Conservation Honorary Lifetime Member, Mark Nichols.
Together we methodically cast our lines over the open waters in hopes of catching a memory or two, working our way slowly north along the western edge of Marsha’s Flat. One calculated step at a time, we traverse the expansive meadow of life-rich sea grasses. With our eyes peeled wide-open, we watch for signs of moving fish, while remaining keenly sensitive to approaching sharks, sting rays or any other dangers as we cast our single-hook, soft-plastic DOA shrimp rigs.
Marsha’s Flat, named after the world-renowned fishing guide, beautiful Jensen Beach native Marsha Foosaner, sits seductively behind and paralleling a somewhat exposed mile-long, narrow sandbar. This white sand, hard-bottom bar protects Marsha’s Flat from heavy winds and boat wakes. Being barefooted, I cautiously slide each step (sting ray shuffle) gently across the beds of grass, lightly feeling the bottom to avoid barnacle-encrusted debris, oyster and clam shells or anything other hidden pain-inducing traps.
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Paul Macinnis and Mark Nichols of DOA
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Thankfully the conditions play into our hands. Mild temperatures (79 degrees), a steady barometer (30.05), and a persistent east wind combine with a strong late-morning outgoing tide and approaching full moon to enhance the bite. Not all is perfect today; the lagoon’s water is dirtier and higher than normal, and the grasses are thinner, not as healthy. As we fish, we talk at length about the problems affecting the Indian River Lagoon, and the negative changes we have seen on her in the past thirty years. Over time, we catch a smattering of bluefish, lane snapper, jack crevalle, ladyfish, snook, and spotted seatrout.
Walking back to Mark’s skiff, I stub my pinky toe on a giant Queen conch. One moment I’m cursing the tropical marine mollusk and the next I’m marveling over its intense beauty. Holding the shell at arm’s length with both hands my eyes gaze at its twisted entrance. It radiates an explosion of sunrise colors. Awash in moonlight white, pink, orange and pearl bronze, they are colors you’d imagine seeing on a postcard, not a snail’s shell. Seeing the return of the Queen conch improves my hopes for the future of the lagoon.
Disappointment set in later in the day, when I start filleting a few slot-sized spotted seatrout we kept for dinner. All of the trout are heavily infected with worms. There was a day when these fish occasionally had worms, but in the past decade or so, I’ve noticed a steady increase in the numbers of fish, other than seatrout, I find carrying these parasites. Unfortunately, I believe the increase of parasites in fish is directly connected to the declining health of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL).
Fishing with friends is a good reason to celebrate, and taking a fish or two home for dinner is a great blessing. But experiencing the negative effects that come with an explosion of population and poor land development practices in the IRL watershed is sad. Anglers, it is time we unite to better protect our fishing traditions and the local waters we fish from the dreadful changes coming with increased over- development and poor planning.
Actions speak louder than words. Get outdoors!
Best Regards,
Rodney Smith, President
Anglers for Conservation
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